Operations Center Specialist

Essential Utilities Corporation - Pittsburgh, PA

Full-time - Entry Level

Pittsburgh, PA

Construction of Buildings

About the position

Essential Utilities, Inc. is seeking an Operations Center Specialist to join our team in North Shore, PA. This full-time position plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient operation of our Field Customer Service and Field Operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for defining requirements, preparing plans, and coordinating personnel needs to facilitate effective service delivery. This includes handling after-hours emergency calls from customers and coordinating field responses through established protocols to ensure public safety. The Operations Center Specialist will work closely with 911 Centers and local emergency services to gather critical data for timely responses to emergencies. In this role, you will be tasked with scheduling daily work assignments, managing time-off requests, and determining if additional resources are required. You will also monitor and realign work to ensure all tasks are completed throughout the day, making contact with at-risk appointments for possible rescheduling as necessary. The position requires managing cyclical maintenance and compliance work to ensure that all operations meet regulatory standards while optimizing resource utilization. You will act as the primary liaison between field supervision and personnel during incidents, ensuring effective communication and accurate data entry. Utilizing mapping and GPS-based software, you will maintain and improve response times to emergencies and customer appointments. You will also be responsible for placing PA One Call notifications for damages, preparing damage reports, and communicating effectively with field personnel and supervisors. The ideal candidate will possess strong computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Office and SharePoint, and will be able to maintain composure in a fast-paced environment. Good planning, attention to detail, and time management skills are essential, as is the ability to analyze data and present solutions. This position requires flexibility in scheduling, including the ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Responsibilities

• Define requirements and prepare plans for efficient Field Customer Service and Field Operations.
• Handle after-hours emergency calls from customers and coordinate field response.
• Work with 911 Centers and local emergency services to gather critical data for timely responses.
• Schedule daily work assignments and manage time-off requests.
• Monitor and realign work to ensure completion throughout the day.
• Manage cyclical maintenance and compliance work to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Act as the primary liaison between field supervision and personnel during incidents.
• Utilize mapping and GPS software to improve response times and manage work orders.
• Prepare damage reports and communicate effectively with field personnel.

Requirements

• Understanding of natural gas public utility and natural gas field operations preferred.
• Entry-level experience in dispatching preferred.
• Experience with analyzing data to identify problems and issues.
• Ability to work flexible schedules with varying days off, including holidays and weekends.
• Experience with electronic mapping programs.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; demonstrated related experience may be substituted.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in time management and scheduling multiple projects simultaneously.
• Good communication skills, including written, verbal, and interpersonal relationships.

Benefits

• Opportunities for advancement
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Commitment to career growth opportunities